Story perspectives

2026 Wildfire Season May Escalate After 2025 Fuel-Reduction Cuts

5/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Fire experts warn the 2026 wildfire season could be extreme because the U.S. Forest Service completed less vegetation-reduction work in 2025.
The agency burned about one million fewer acres in fiscal year 2025, reflecting staff cuts that weakened its wildfire-preparation.
Bobbie Scopa of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters warned that removing contracting officers reduced fuel-reduction contracts.
Forest Service chief Tom Schultz cited the 2021 Caldor Fire as proof that areas limited fire intensity.

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Story summary

Fire experts warn the 2026 wildfire season could be extreme because the U.S. Forest Service completed less vegetation-reduction work in 2025.
The agency burned about one million fewer acres in fiscal year 2025, reflecting staff cuts that weakened its wildfire-preparation.
Bobbie Scopa of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters warned that removing contracting officers reduced fuel-reduction contracts.
Forest Service chief Tom Schultz cited the 2021 Caldor Fire as proof that areas limited fire intensity.